Raymond Chandler Message Board

Mason S. posts on 1/1/2012Mason S. has just written a review of The Lady in the Lake which you can see hereAnonymous posts on 1/22/2010 8:11:32 PMFrom what I've read and understood Orfamay kills steelgrave when she visits Mavis Weld at her house. But it is confusing.Anonymous posts on 6/3/2008 6:22:42 PMI'm confused about the plot of the little sister as well. I'm pretty sure that Mavis Weld killed steelgrave. The thing is though, I think orrin was killed not only because he was dangerous but because Delores says that reason two was because it was for love. The thing i'm confused about is whether she loves steelgrave or whether she's refering to orrin (as she lists love as one of the two reasons why she killed orrin). That,however, brings up even more questions because if she really loved steelgrave why would she kill orrin and not Mavis? That doesn't make sense as Steelgrave was seen eating with her. Also can anyone tell me who stein is?

Tommy posts on 1/30/2006 6:10:46 PMdid any of yous have any luck with the answer 1 in the thriller section for the tickets to the baftas?karen posts on 1/29/2006 11:56:28 AMhi Grace, take it you are also trying to win tickets to the baftas !!grace posts on 1/22/2006 3:15:54 PMin wich classic noir movie co-scripted by raymond chandler is the murderer told "you won't make it to the border.you won't even make it to the elevator" i need help!!paulcotsen posts on 12/29/2005 5:46:53 PMI have read The Little Sister quite a few times and I am still confused as to who really killed Steelgrave. At the end of the book Marlowe is taken to Steelgrave's home only to find the dead Steelgrave and Mavis Weld who claims to have shot him. We also learn through Dolores, that she supposedly took 'The Little Sister' to the house to pick up a reward from Steelgrave. When he gave her the money wrapped in a bloodstained handkerchief, she supposedly took the money and then shot him. I suspect that Dolores killed Steelgrave and made 'The Little Sister' tell her half sister Mavis Weld that she did it - but it all seems to be a mess. If Dolores made the story of the bloody reward up - to satisfy her friend Mavis Weld, why would she implicate 'The Little Sister' - I don't think Mavis would have believed her. We learn from Marlowe's asside to Dolores that she was the killer of both the first gangster in the street near her own home (to frame Steelgrave) and later Orrin Quest because he was dangerous. And I need to know if the whole labarynthine plot to frame Steelgrave was a revenge act by the doctor who couldn't bear to live without his former wife, Dolores, who he must have lost to Steelgrave some time earlier. But then, if Dolores was so involved in the revenge, she must have been very loyal to her ex-husband - especially if she was prepared to kill two men for him. But what also seems confusing is that she doesn't want to hurt Mavis Weld but is perfectly happy to involve her in a horrible blackmail and revenge.
I would be very greatful to anyone who understands this book better than me to give me definitive explanation. Thank you in advance.
Paul Cotsen, London.Lou posts on 8/9/2005 9:58:31 AMPls. send the Raymond Chandler quote, his lengthy and colorful description of a fish tank. For a thesis draft due Fri. It might have been in Lady in the Lake, or the Long Goodbye. THANKS! Ray posts on 7/12/2005 12:25:54 AMYou have rocks in your head. Go read a cookbook.